Disclaimer: Own nothing
Note: Takes place after : "An Inferno amongst the glaciers." About four months later.
Wasted opportunities:
The large sky bison pierced through the air, six tree trunk like legs reaching out as the ground of Kyoshi Island began to appear under him. When Appa was finally upon the island, he lowered himself, three black, lined tube-like fingers on each of his six limbs digging into the earth below as he came into contact with the island. As the bison came to a stop, his master and childhood friend patted his head and slid off of him with the other three passengers, landing on the dirt on impact. Aang smiled up at his bison affectionately as the firebender he and his friends had been escorting to the island sauntered in the direction of the town, occasionally looking back to see if Katara was going to follow. Katara didn't miss the princess's gaze every once and a while sent in her direction when the firebender thought that the Water Tribe woman didn't see. She smiled, insecurities about Nylutha getting close to her princess…..to Azula being forgotten temporarily as she trailed the Fire Nation royal with her brother.
As they reached the outskirts of the town, Ty Lee emerged from one of the wooden docks, jumping off the base of it onto the ground and running to them-specifically to Azula.
"Azula!" The acrobat cried, overjoyed as she ran. The newest Kyoshi warrior swiftly came over, practically jumping onto the princess happily, hugging the black haired woman around her neck. "Ty Lee." The firebender grumbled, smirking as she embraced the acrobat, stepping back a little from the impact of the brunette's "attack."
Katara observed the two other women. It was a strange thing to realize but Katara understood that she was not jealous of Ty Lee. There was no sting of rage or envy whenever she saw the braided Kyoshi near the princess. It was different when Nylutha was around. Whenever the Northern Water Tribe woman interacted with Azula, Katara couldn't prevent a dark feeling of….well…..dread.
It was different when Ty Lee was around. She wasn't as naïve as people thought she was. She saw how Ty Lee looked at Azula. She saw how Ty Lee spoke to the princess and treated every word the princess said as if it was the most precious gem in the world. Regardless of her awareness of the acrobat's love for the firebender, Katara never felt the desire to step between them, nor did she feel the desire to grab Azula and pull her away from the brunette's grasp. She didn't feel threatened by Ty Lee. It wasn't because she didn't believe that Azula could never have feelings for the acrobat. No, that wasn't it.
In Nylutha's case, it felt as if the other waterbender would quite deliberately separate Azula from the rest of them. Nylutha wasn't like Ty Lee. She cared about Azula or at least acted like she did, and acted like she respected Azula, but there was something about her desires that just didn't sit right with Katara. Maybe it was just her jealousy, but something felt off with Nylutha.
True, when it came to Nylutha and Ty Lee there was a geological difference as well. Kyoshi Island wasn't that far from the South Pole and Nylutha lived in the North Pole. The North Pole, naturally was on the opposite side of the world from the South Pole. If Azula decided to go with Nylutha to the North Pole…..Katara might never see her again. But it wasn't just that. Katara had the uncomfortable impression that Nylutha wanted Azula away from the rest of the people that loved her. The way Nylutha acted, it seemed like she deemed no one else worthy of the princess's time.
Her uncomfortable thoughts were distracted when Ty Lee excitedly grabbed one of Azula's arms and dragged her along to the village. "Food's all ready!" Ty Lee said, grinning, "I'm sure you all are starved after that long trip!"
"Boy I know I am!" Sokka bayed out loudly, eyes gleaming at the promise of food.
Katara rolled her eyes, shaking her head. Her brother and his stomach, what could you do?
The Avatar, Katara and Sokka followed the acrobat and the firebender quickly. Aang called over his shoulder to Appa, "I'll bring you some cabbage and lettuce later, okay, buddy?"
The large bison sent a groan out in response of approval as his friend and the other four moved off to the village.
They got to the wooden constructed hut where the food was and Ty Lee opened the sliding door, revealing three long tables that looked like they were made from oak lined along the floor. It was covered with plates and dishes of food. Each and every side of the tables was surrounded by Kyoshi warriors. The Kyoshi faced the four newcomers and Ty Lee.
"Hello, Azula." Yun said, waving her hand, smiling. Azula just nodded in response, shrugging. Yun was a Kyoshi warrior that had been on the island four years prior to Ty Lee joining the Kyoshi ranks. She had long almost waist length chestnut brown hair and deep indigo eyes and a frame a bit more-wide than Ty Lee's and Suki's. She and some of the other Kyoshi had gotten rather used to the mentally damaged young woman that occasionally took up residence on their island every six months. Yun was one of the friendlier ones.
The brown haired warrior got out of the way so that Ty Lee and the princess could seat themselves between her and a Kyoshi with short black hair and light brown eyes, Ren. Before them were three silver platters of sliced chicken-pig and a couple of blue and white porcelain bowls of blood red pears shipped from the Fire Nation, courtesy of the new Fire Lord. Ty Lee frowned when she saw Azula glare at the pears. Naturally, these pears, Azula never ate. Before Zuko had become Fire Lord, Azula loved these types of pears. The acrobat sighed, reaching over and pushed both offensive bowls away from Azula. The firebender looked at Ty Lee and nodded, something the acrobat was almost sure was appreciation in the princess's golden eyes. However, the brunette knew that the princess would never ever admit to being grateful to anyone, not even to her, so she just smiled and turned back to the food, getting her plate and fork and sliding some chicken-pork onto her plate and then onto Azula's plate.
"You don't have to get the chicken-pig for me." Azula said, voice sounding harsh, though the braided woman was pretty certain that it wasn't as harsh as it used to be, "I can get it myself. I'm not helpless."
"I know." Ty Lee said, grinning playfully, "But I like doing these things for you. It makes me happy."
Azula lifted an eyebrow but did not respond. Behind them, Katara observed the scene with interest, and yes, some envy. As her brother drooled at the sight of the elaborate banquet, running over to get next to Suki and swap his own plate of duck-pig or cow-sheep, or both, the waterbender listened closely to Ty Lee's words to the princess. She exhaled, very nearly laughing. There was a little resentment at Ty Lee's closeness with Azula. A little. But the waterbender found it hilarious that the more dominant feeling swelling within her towards the Kyoshi warrior was kinship. She understood the acrobat's words a little too well and agreed with them.
Didn't she know how good it felt when she helped heal Azula's wounds or stitched up the firebender's water tribe clothing? Because it felt good to do something like that for the firebender; because she cared about the firebender in question. She somehow couldn't picture Nylutha having the same appreciation for doing something selfless for the princess.
Noticing Sokka now seated by Suki, she sighed, following, though she wanted to be next to Azula. She sat between Sokka and another Kyoshi who's name she heard was Oiya.
Aang watched his two friends of four years sit next to Suki. He knew what was lurking in Katara's heart. The healer just couldn't bring herself into seeing it because the risks would be too painful.
He thought for a moment about that black haired waterbender back at the South Pole. Nylutha. Hmm…..she was a mystery to him. He got along with her perfectly well, but as long as there was obvious conflict between her and Katara, there was going to be a problem. He might not have been the most observant of people, but he knew that the look in Katara's blue eyes whenever the waterbender glanced at Azula, was not a look of mere friendship, companionship, compassion or worry. No, it was something deeper and though perhaps he didn't know the name of it yet, even though he had been frozen for one hundred years in an iceberg, he still was only fifteen. But if what Katara felt towards Azula was anything like what he was pretty sure he felt towards Toph, then he hoped that Katara had whatever wish she had regarding the princess fulfilled. His friend was strong and hopeful herself. He had faith in Katara, no matter what it was his friend was trying to accomplish.
He then looked at Suki, remembering that the sky bison outside still hadn't eaten tonight, "Hey, Suki? Is it okay if I bring out some cabbages for Appa? He's outside and hasn't eaten in a few hours."
The redhead gave a stunning smile, "Of course, Aang. Go ahead. There's a whole crate of them right over there." She nodded towards a few wooden crates in the far off corner. One crate appeared to be bulging; three of the boards were so unhinged that Aang could see leafy green through the gaps between them.
"Some poor old guy dropped them when we were getting a shipment of vegetables," Suki said, voice edged with sympathy, "According to our sailors, he was screaming about the cabbages being thrown off his cart by a bunch of bandits. Poor guy. Well go ahead." Aang nodded, finding the story about the cabbage guy odd, but concentrated as he went to the crates, on Katara. If he was right about the feelings that his waterbending friend more than likely had for Azula, then Nylutha was indeed a problem. He turned his head a little to see Ty Lee munching away at a wrap of lettuce stuffed with tomatoes and shredded meat of some kind, probably duck. Ty Lee was close with Azula, obviously. When Katara had looked at Azula and the acrobat together just now, Aang wasn't sure what he had witnessed, but he knew that Katara trusted Ty Lee. Trusted her far more than she did Nylutha, that was for sure.
At that thought, the Avatar stopped walking towards the cabbages and turned around, walking towards Katara now, ignoring the stares from the other tables' inhabitants.
"Katara?" He asked gently, catching his friend's attention. The brown skinned girl turned and looked at the airbender. "Yeah, Aang?" She asked, smiling as she put her plate of oranges and goat-goose meat down.
Aang took a breath and asked, hoping to make something of a difference, "Can I talk to you for a second?"
Katara was startled for a moment before getting up from the table and moving over to the monk.
"Yeah?" she asked, curious, "What is it, Aang?"
She and the Avatar came away from the table, closer to the crates as the waterbender leaned in to hear what her friend had to say. Aang spoke in a hushed voice, "Katara, I don't know for sure what it is that's going on between you and Azula and Nylutha."
Katara's eyes widened and her cheeks tinted a deep crimson. "Aang!" She hissed, glancing over her shoulder at where Azula was and then looked back at the monk, "What are you doing?"
Aang flinched, guilty he had just embarrassed his friend but pushed on, "I know you don't like it when Nylutha is with Azula. But look, I know you're not angry at Ty Lee like you are Nylutha. Does Ty Lee even know about Nylutha?"
Katara stiffened as she thought about it. Unless Azula told Ty Lee about Nylutha then as far as Katara knew, Ty Lee knew nothing about the Northern Water Tribe woman's existence.
"I don't know." She submitted, eyes narrowed in thought, "I don't think Ty Lee knows."
Aang nodded. "I know you don't like Nylutha. Maybe Ty Lee should know about her? Maybe Ty Lee would know what to do."
Katara's contemplative expression was deep and thoughtful. The waterbender hesitated before nodding. "Yeah. You're probably right." She finally answered, smiling, "Go feed Appa, Aang. I'll speak to Ty Lee after dinner."
Aang smiled back, glad he could help. He turned back to the crates, heading over to them to retrieve the vegetables.
(Page break)
After everyone including Aang and his bison had eaten, Katara glanced over at where Ty Lee was chatting with Azula. The brunette must have been saying something that was fairly amusing by the firebender's perspective, because she was smirking at whatever Ty Lee was telling her. Katara watched Azula nod and say something. Ty Lee responded with a big hug and the startled firebender eventually hugged back. Katara smiled. She couldn't be jealous. Not if Azula was happy around Ty Lee. But Nylutha…..she didn't know how she knew this, but she just knew that the other waterbender was bad for Azula. As she waited, the two Fire Nation women parted, and Ty Lee bounded off to the side, going to get her armor that she had shed before dinner. Azula got up and walked out the door of the hut.
Making sure Azula had left, Katara turned back to Ty Lee and started for the acrobat, inhaling deeply and preparing what she was about to tell the other woman.
"Ty Lee?" She called out, a little uncertain. With Ty Lee, she wasn't always sure what to say. The other braided girl turned to her, smiling.
"Hi, Katara!" She chirped, "What's up?"
"Hey," Katara hesitated till she submitted, "I…..I don't know if Azula's told you this, but there's someone in the South Pole that she kind of has been close with and honestly, I'm a little worried about it."
Ty Lee was confused for a moment before Katara added, "It's not me. It's another waterbender. From the Northern Water Tribe."
"Nylutha." Ty Lee mumbled, her voice containing a quavering emotion that made Katara's stomach turn.
"You know about her?" The waterbender asked, genuinely startled that Azula had told the acrobat.
Any hesitance Ty Lee might have had was peeled from her and the newest Kyoshi released her now calm voice with an underlying hint of longing, "When Azula was brought here last year for the six months she's supposed to spend at this island, she told me about Nylutha. She told me that Nylutha had been kind and didn't seem to be afraid of her at all." The brunette's voice trailed off and her deep, usually ecstatic eyes dimmed, "I'm not afraid of her. I….."
As Ty Lee's forlorn voice trailed off and her head lowered, Katara filled in, guessing what the chi blocker's next words would be, "You love her."
Ty Lee's head snapped up and she stared, shocked at Katara, questions shining in her eyes.
Katara smiled sadly, "I know. I know…..I can relate." At Ty Lee's eyes widening, the waterbender supplied more, "And I really don't trust Nylutha either. She…I've interacted with her and I don't think it's good that Azula is so close with her."
Ty Lee's mouth parted in a display of shock for a moment before she said slowly, trying to absorb this new information, "You think we should try to get Azula to not trust Nylutha? I don't…..I don't want to pressure Azula into anything."
Katara flinched. She had to agree with Ty Lee on that, but she didn't want Nylutha to take Azula. She just couldn't…
"I know." She breathed, "I don't want to either, but Nylutha lives in the North Pole. If she gets Azula to come with her, we might not see her ever again."
Ty Lee nodded, her eyes still wide with amazement.
"I'm not going to try to take Azula away," Katara added, hoping they could trust each other, "Just as long as you won't. I want Azula to get better too, and I don't think she will with Nylutha in her life."
Ty Lee nodded, finding herself not jealous but happy that there was someone else looking out for Azula. "Okay," She began, perking up, "What do we do?"
